“I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night. 12 Early the next morning Samuel went to find Saul. Someone told him, “Saul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.” 13 When Samuel finally found him, Saul greeted him cheerfully. “May the Lord bless you,” he said. “I have carried out the Lord’s command!” 14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. 15 “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted.
“But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.” 16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the Lord told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked. 17 And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord has anointed you king of Israel. 18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, until they are all dead.’ 19 Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the Lord’s sight?” 20
“But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:11-21 NLT
Lord God,
Samuel asked, !”What is this bleating of sheep and goats and lowing of cattle?” Saul made no attempt to hide what can clearly be heard and therefore found and seen . . . so he justifies it.
But they are only the best and we kept them for the Lord your God.
But I did obey, I destroyed everything except those you can hear which are for your God.
But, but, but, I was once reminded that God has no goats in the Bible only sheep! But but but. It means we are trying to push ourselves out of a situation rather than repenting and changing to direction to obey You God. I wonder if Saul really meant to sacrifice them? I wonder too why Saul says he was going to sacrifice them to Samuels God? Saul did not say to my God.
Help me to be quick to accept my failings and come to You who can forgive me and justify me. Just as if I had never sinned. And show me if there are any buts in my life trying to justify wrong thoughts or behaviour.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Sometimes familiar words and melodies enable us to worship and be comforted. This hymn and version does that for me.
The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still still waters
His goodness restores my soul
And I will trust in You alone (I will trust, I will trust in you)
And I will trust in You alone (I will trust, I will trust in you)
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home
He guides my ways in righteousness
And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup it overflows with joy
I feast on His pure delights
Chorus
And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the evil one
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know
Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Original hymn by Francis Rous – contemporary version by Keith and Melody Green